Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An opulent gold ring boasting a ribbon-form band and set with an ovoid, sardonyx cameo. The creamy white sardonyx is meticulously hand-carved to portray the head of Hercules (Greek Herakles). Shown at 3/4 view and facing left, the mythological hero displays almond-shaped eyes beneath a heavy brow, a straight nose, and full lips, all perfectly framed by a thick coiffure and beard as a wreath of laurel leaves crowns his head. Size (of ring): 0.9" in diameter (2.3 cm); Size (of cameo): 0.5" L x 0.3" W (1.3 cm x 0.8 cm); Ring size: 7.25; Metal quality: 48% gold, 23% silver; Weight: 1.7 grams

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Newark, Delaware, USA collection, acquired prior to 1981.

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#167945

Cameo is ancient, ring is modern. A few miniscule nicks to band of ring. Otherwise, intact and excellent with remarkable preservation of detail on intaglio. Accompanied by old ring box.